| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| March 23, 2000 | Renae Reedy (651-296-9895) |
Legislation inspired by Park Rapids pharmacist
An important bill for senior citizens, authored by Rep. Larry Howes (R-Hackensack) passed in the House on Wednesday. The bill would limit the sale of prescription discount cards and protect consumers from being misled.
It was drafted in response to a problem noticed by Park Rapids pharmacy owner, Kathy Craddock who reported that many senior citizens had been bringing prescription drug discount cards into her store, hoping to save some money. Craddock had never approved the discount cards, and was not prepared to honor them. Worse yet, some customers were mistaking the cards for insurance because they were so similar in appearance.
According to Howes, several companies in Minnesota have been using the discount cards as a marketing gimmick - offering them as incentives for purchasing their products or services. Unfortunately, many drug store owners were never notified of the discount cards and had never agreed to honor them.
Howes' bill would require all discount cards to state clearly and prominently that they are not an insurance card and also requires companies to sign agreements with individual pharmacies and list those pharmacies somewhere in the purchasing materials.
"This bill will help protect consumers and give them complete information so they can make wise decisions," Howes said. "I just want to keep everything above-board," he added, "because that's what Minnesotans expect."
Rep. Howes' bill passed unanimously on the House floor. "It's a good common sense bill," Howes said, "House members saw that and voted unanimously. I believe the Senate and the Governor will join us as well."
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